Crutch.



G. A. NEWBLL.

GRUTGH.

PPLITIN FILED NOVI, 1912. 1,061,397. Patented May 13,1913.

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mwa/yy@ wf/J a. www@ ATTURNLY UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

`ofEoRofE a. NEWELL, or BUFFALO, NEW YORK, AssIGNoR To HILDA LAWSON, or BUFFALO, NEW YORK. t

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-This lnvention relates to the 'class of' crutches inl which a cushioning spring is interposed between the body of the crutch .and the usual non-slipping tip of rubber or other suitable material, in order to render .the crutch more comfortable to the user.

The object of the invention is the provision of, reliable means for preventing withdrawal oraccidental separation of the tip-holder and other parts from the ferrule containing the same'.-

he accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is la side elevation of acrutch embodying .my invention. `Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the lower portion of the crutch. Figs. 3 and 4 are cross sections on the Correspondingly-numbered lines in Fig. holder and the ti showing a modified construction of the atter.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

1 indicates the frame or 4body of the crutch which may be of any ordinary construction,`and 2 is a sleeve 'or ferrule secured to the lower end of the body by a screwl of other fastening and extending a suitab' e distance below the same, as shown in Fig. 2. The lower portion of thisferrule is preferably reduced to forman internal shoulder 4 which bears against the lower end of the crutch-body, reliably holding the ferrule against upward displacement on the body under the weight of the user. v

Fitted in the lower end of the ferrule is a plunger.' 5 Ihaving a socket or holder 6 which receives a suitable non-slipping tip. This tip may consist of the customary block 7- of rubber, as shown in Fig. 2, to be used under ordinary conditions; or a pointed pin or spur 8,l as shown in Fig. 5, to be used in 50 the winter season. The tip is removably arranged in the socket 6, so that either the rubber block or the spur may be used as required. Extending upwardly from the plunger 55 D a screw stem 9 tightly screwed into a Specification of Letters Patent.

. V l Application lled November 15, 1912. Serial No. 731,541.

l. `Fig. 5l is a vertical section of the tip-4 .Patented lWIay 13, 1913.

longitudinal opening thereof. This stem carries a collar 10, preferably in the form of a nut which is tightly screwed upon thestem. Surrounding the stem between. said nut and a washer 11 bearing against the lower end of the crutch body 1 is a cushion 11 which preferably consists of a spiral spring, as shown. The screw stem 9 extends axially through this spring and they washer 11 and -its uppenend plays in a socket 1'2 in the lower end ofthe crutch body.

Arranged within. the ferrule below the nut' 10 is a suitable stop adapted to ret-ain t-he'plunger 5, nut 10 and spring 11 in place. In its preferred embodiment this stop consists 'of a ring or washer 13 resting upon an internal.upwardly-facing shoulder 14 of the ferrule. The central Opening of this was er. is large enoughl to allow the washer to play up and down on the screw stem 9 and without interferin with the vertical movements of t-he crutch body and the ferrule 2 relative to the plunger 5 and the tip.

In the use of the invention, when the user exerts his weight upon the crutch, the ferrule 2 slides downward on the relatively stationary plunger As the nut or collar 10 is held against vertical movement on the plunger-stein 9, the cushioning spring 11 is by this action compressed between thelower end of the crutch-body and said nut. The I stop-washer 13 in no way interferes with this cushioning action; but being located .underneath the nut of the screw stem 9, it

prevents withdrawal or separation of the stem and thc plunger 5 from the ferrule, thus reliably retaining these parts as well as 'the cushionlng spring in the ferrule. i

Obviously, ythe several parts 'are assembled within the ferrule before it is securedto the crutch-body. In doing this, the nut 10 is the screw mit or collar are free to rotate independently of the ferrule and the crutch'- of the tip and prolonging itsife.

I claim as my invention: e l. The combination of a crutch body, a

ferrule secured to said body and extendingv below the same, aplunger fitted inthe lower portionvof'the ferrule and having a screw threaded opening, a', screw stern engaging said opening `and having 'a iat-sided vupper end, acollar secured to said-stem, a cushioning spring interl'iosedl between said collar and thelower end of the crutch body, and means for limiting the downward movement f y of saidI collar in the ferrule.

2. The-,combination of a crutch-body, a ferrule secured to said body and extending below the same, a plunger itted in the lower portion of the ferrule dnd having an up- I wardly-extending` stem, a collart carriedby said stem and' held against vertical :more

ment thereon, -`a cushion interposed between said collar and the lower end of the crutch body, the ferrule being provided between said collar and the upper end'of said plunger with an internal upwardly-facing shoulder, andastop-washer resting on said shoulder, said plunger-stem passing through `f'said 43*.The combination of a crutch-body, la

ferrule secured to said body .and extending below the same, a plunger fit-ted in thelowerportion of the4 errule and havingfan'j-lip'- wardly-extending screw stem, a nut applied to said stem, a cushion arranged in thefer-y rule between ysaid nut and thejlower .endvof the crutch-body, the ferrule being .provided below said nut with an internal upwardlyfacing shoulder,` and a stop-washer resting on said shoulder.

, lVitness my hand this y4th day Kof Nouember, 191.2. y GEORGE A, .AN'EVVELL lVitnesses: j .f C. F` GEYER,

E. M.v GRAHAM. 

